What is the best area to stay in Charlotte NC?
By Carles Barcelo. Updated October 27, 2023
When visiting Charlotte, make sure to stay in the Uptown area, which is set right at the heart of everything this city has to offer. As well as being its historical nucleus, it is also home to the city´s main attractions. Among the most important places to visit, you will find the Spectrum Centre, the Bank of America Stadium, the Charlotte Convention Centre and the Nascar Hall of Fame.
The Spectrum Centre (also known as the Time Warner Cable Arena), is one of the largest attractions in the area. It’s a sport stadium which is home to the pro basketball team Charlotte Hornets, as well as welcoming a large variety of shows and concerts of world famous artists.
The Uptown area also offers many museums, cinemas and theaters. In addition to its diverse selection of restaurants that will make your mouth water after a day of shopping in the area´s best shops, you can later enjoy some of the city´s best nightlife, right in the epicentre.
To get around you can use the Lynx light-rail, bus, hire a bike or alternatively, you can enjoy the city on foot. If you are travelling by car, make sure to get information from your hotel about places to park and prices, as this can make quite a difference to your budget.On the map, which shows the best area to stay in Charlotte NC, you can see a selection of some of the best located hotels.
If you were interested in finding out where to stay in Charlotte NC, you may also be interested in knowing where to stay in Asheville and where to stay in Raleigh.
Uptown, the best place to stay in Charlotte
Uptown Charlotte is the best place to stay, where you can enjoy hundreds of restaurants, different kinds of shops, museums and many emblematic places of interest, all within walking distance. Amongst the many streets of the Uptown area you will find some lovely parks and entertainment options for all the family. This bustling area of town also holds hosts to many of the city´s most important cultural centers, such as the Uptown Mint Museum, The Harvey B. Gantt Center, The Bechtler Museum or the Levine Museum of the New South. You can also see a theater show, concert or one the specials shows on at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Centre, as well as watch a game of baseball or visit the Time Warner Cable Arena. The area’s nightlife culminates in and around EpiCentre, in the heart of uptown, where you will also find a large variety of restaurants, bars and clubs.
Uptown is located 10km from the airport, meaning that getting to any of the hotels in Uptown is fairly easy by transfer service or taxi. Once you arrive, forget about taking the car or taxi and explore the city on foot, as the traffic can sometimes be slow in the center.
Other areas to stay in Charlotte
Pineville
Pineville is a suburb of Charlotte which sits just outside the city. The town is known for its craft beer scene and a host of entertaining and educational activities. Aptly named after its Pine trees, the town was incorporated in 1873. You can visit the city to get a taste of the urban feel, most residents here rent out their homes to visitors and tourists.
For a bit of family fun, you can check out the Pineville Ice House or Sky Zone Trampoline Park. Other family members can spend their time at the Pineville Craft Beer. There are Inns and Suites throughout the town for a nice family stay.
University Place
University Place is essentially its own city, but not officially. Some great events take place in the city such as concerts at PNC Pavilion, NASCAR races at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and the International Festival at UNC Charlotte. They even have their own annual events like the University City Wine Fest and the Healthy UCity Race Series.
A great place to visit is the Farmer’s Market, University City’s scenic lake and charming boardwalk and many great natural escapes. If you are looking for a place to stay, you can choose from a plethora of Inns and Hotels in the city which are comfortable and homely.
South Park
The South Park area takes its name from the shopping center, which was built here in the 70s, and is the biggest in the whole of North Carolina. With that in mind, staying in South Park offers excellent shopping opportunities, as well as a variety of gastronomical treasures to explore. Although Southpark is far away from the main highways, it takes just 10 minutes by car, at any time of the day, to get to Uptown, making it a great location.
South Park doesn´t offer the same experience as Uptown, as this is mainly a shopping area, but it´s a good place to stay if you have hired a car and want to enjoy all the nearby amenities.
Ballantyne
Although there are many different types of accommodation on offer in this area, Ballantyne is considered the most exclusive neighborhood in Charlotte. Here you will find some of the best luxury shops and boutiques, a wide array of top quality restaurants, and a golf club with an excellent reputation.
The area is located 20km from the airport and approximately half an hour by car from Uptown, but it´s the best place to stay if you want to play a round of golf or enjoy a luxury weekend away. Some of the best hotels, such as the elegant Ballantyne Hotel, also offer transfer services to surrounding areas.
Our recommended hotels in Charlotte NC
Use the interactive map to navigate through our recommended hotels in Charlotte NCNote: Hotel prices can change daily due to promotions, seasons, and demand. Our $ - $$$$ scale shows the overall cost range rather than exact prices.
